Business Sector FAQs

 Sector 42: Wholesale Trade

Questions about this sector are provided below and apply to the Sector as a whole.

 Questions

• Sector Questions

1.  What if the form I received does not apply to my business or operation?
2.   If I don't have information should I leave it blank?
3.  What are business-to-business electronic markets?
4.  What are agents and brokers?
5.  What if I have commissions but not sales information (Item 5)?
6.  How should I report detail of sales, shipments, receipts, or revenue (Item 22) for electronic markets and agents and brokers?

 Answers

• Sector Questions




1.  What if the form I received does not apply to my business or operation?

Please try to use the form you have to answer the 2007 Economic Census. Census forms are designed to be flexible in use, and we will contact you if we need any additional information or have any questions regarding your answers. If you cannot use the form that you have, please contact us.

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2.   If I don't have information should I leave it blank?

Please provide your best estimate of any item that is not available from your business records. We find that your best estimate is much better than no information at all, and greatly increase the reliability of published statistics. Please do not leave any applicable item blank. Identify and explain any estimate you provide in the "Remarks" section available on most forms (after Item 29). However, if an item does not apply to your establishment, you may leave it blank.

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3.  What are business-to-business electronic markets?

Business-to-business electronic markets bring together buyers and sellers of goods using the Internet, Extranet, Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) network, electronic mail or other online system, generally on a fee or commission basis. Business-to-business electronic markets for durable and nondurable goods are included in this subsector.

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4.  What are agents and brokers?

Agents and brokers act on behalf of buyers or sellers in the wholesale distribution of goods generally on a fee or commission basis, and do not take title to the goods being sold. Agents and brokers for all durable and nondurable goods are included in this subsector.

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5.  What if I have commissions but not sales information (Item 5)?

If you know the amount of your commissions but not the sales and operating receipts on which they were based, use your commissions to estimate the sales value. For example, if your average commission rate is 8 percent and your commissions totaled $200,000, divide your total commissions by your average rate to estimate your gross sales as $2,500,000.

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6.  How should I report detail of sales, shipments, receipts, or revenue (Item 22) for electronic markets and agents and brokers?

Please use the sales and operating receipts reported in Item 5A as the total for reporting detail of sales, shipments, receipts, or revenue in Item 22. Do not use commissions received (Item 5C) as the basis for Item 22’s value. Commissions should not be reported on a single commodity group line or a "Receipts for... services" line. See your Information Sheet for Items 5 and 22 regarding what values to report and examples of inclusions and exclusions.

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